We are back from Cochabamba and Marion’s kindergarten workshop. Thank you for your prayers. The workshop was held at the American Institute in Cochabamba, a school that was started in 1909 by the Methodists. They have almost 4000 students enrolled. The workshop was attended by 50 kindergarten teachers from various parts of Bolivia. Marion had been told to expect 15. The response to the curriculum was varied. Some people thought it was expecting too much for the kids. Others thought it was great. The first day the director figured we had an 85% approval rate. By the end of the second day he figured about 98%. Rosa, the kindergarten in our school took along a niece and nephew, both were her students from last year, to demonstrate the results of the program.
We are half way through the winter vacation at the school. Continue to pray for the school. The folks at the American Institute have the same complaint we do. The government requires so much paperwork the teachers hardly have time to teach.
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| Aldo and part of the family |
Aldo Osinaga is one of the men who is working with me in leadership in the assembly. He also teaches Christian Education at the school. His wife Magdalena teaches first grade. Here they are with three of their four boys. Their oldest boy has his own bicycle but we have seen the whole family on the motorcycle. Aldo has developed into a good preacher. We appreciate this family.
I wanted to go to the city the other day and buy tires for the van but Santa Cruz is in a fuss with the arrival of the Pope, so I’ll have to wait until next week. The most interesting news from the Pope’s visit was that he changed his clothes at Burger King before going to the nearby stage that was built for the program.
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| Dr. Mefi and parents |
Marion needs to renew her driver’s license. It should already be renewed but they found that she was in the system twice and it takes two weeks to get it straightened out. She can’t drive until they untangle the problem.
We celebrated Mephibosheth’s graduation from medical school. (We call him Mefi) Two of his brothers have been working in London for years to help pay for his studies. He is doing his internship right here in Portachuelo. Mefi grew up in the assembly and we all rejoice in the achievement. Mefi is serious about a walk with the Lord. Here he is with his parents. He says he still has to look around to see who they are talking to when they call him Doctor.
A number of our teenagers have asked for baptism. We started a class for those who want to be baptized. Six teenagers were with us for the first class. Most of them have been raised in the assembly and know what they believe.
Sunday night a brother from the assembly in Montero was with us. After sharing from the Word he presented a number of Bible study helps that are available online. Almost everyone has access to the Internet now.
